reach agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

"reach agreement" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more people, organizations, or parties coming to a consensus on a particular topic or issue. For example: After hours of debate, the two sides were finally able to reach agreement on a new trade deal.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some groups, however, might not reach agreement.

Harvard University

Activists are also motivated to reach agreement.

Harvard University

It isn't impossible to reach agreement here".

The New York Times

"Reach agreement on a contract extension.

The New York Times - Sports

The object is to reach agreement".

The New York Times - Sports

On, this they could reach agreement.

The New York Times

The G-77 also didn't reach agreement.

The Economist

Typically, some groups will reach agreement and some will not.

Harvard University

To reach agreement in Paris, developing countries softened their stance.

The Guardian

A deadline of March has been set to reach agreement.

The Guardian

Volkswagen continues its efforts to reach agreement with the suppliers.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "reach agreement" with specific details about the subject matter to provide context and clarity. For example: "The committee was able to reach agreement on the budget allocation."

Common error

Do not use "reach agreement" without clearly stating who is reaching the agreement. Always specify the involved parties to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Agreement was reached", say "The unions and management reached agreement".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reach agreement" is that of a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of two or more parties arriving at a mutual understanding. Examples in Ludwig show it used in contexts like contract negotiations or resolving disputes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

11%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reach agreement" is a very common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of parties coming to a mutual understanding. As Ludwig AI points out, it's applicable in numerous scenarios, predominantly in news, academic, and business contexts. While alternatives like "come to terms" or "strike a deal" exist, "reach agreement" maintains a versatile neutrality. When using the phrase, ensure to specify the parties involved for clarity and avoid vague subjects. The prevalence of this phrase underscores its importance in describing conflict resolution and successful negotiations across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come to terms

Implies finding mutually acceptable conditions.

arrive at a consensus

Focuses on general agreement among a group.

strike a deal

Suggests a formal arrangement or bargain.

find common ground

Highlights the process of discovering shared interests.

settle on a compromise

Emphasizes mutual concessions.

forge a consensus

Stresses the active creation of an agreement.

find a resolution

Indicates solving a dispute or problem.

accede to terms

Highlights acceptance of specific conditions.

enter into an accord

Suggests a formal agreement or treaty.

achieve mutual understanding

Focuses on shared comprehension and acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "reach agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "reach agreement" to describe parties coming to a consensus, such as: "After several negotiations, the company and the union were able to "reach agreement" on a new contract."

What are some alternatives to "reach agreement"?

Some alternatives to "reach agreement" include "come to terms", "arrive at a consensus", or "strike a deal", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reach an agreement" or "reach agreement"?

Both "reach an agreement" and "reach agreement" are grammatically correct, but "reach agreement" is more commonly used. Adding "an" can sometimes sound redundant, though not incorrect.

What does it mean when parties "fail to reach agreement"?

When parties "fail to reach agreement", it signifies that they were unable to come to a mutual understanding or settlement on a particular issue, potentially leading to continued negotiation or conflict.